An Act relative to the position of treasurer-collector in the town of Berkley

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kelly Dooner and 1 co-sponsor

Berkley replaces the elected treasurer and collector with a single appointed treasurer-collector to consolidate financial duties under one official.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 44 of the Acts of 2025

Summary: H.2320 – An Act relative to the position of treasurer-collector in the town of Berkley (Chapter 44, Acts of 2025)

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes the Town of Berkley to replace the elected offices of treasurer and collector with an appointed treasurer-collector. The change consolidates the two elected positions into a single appointed office that performs the duties and bears the responsibilities of both roles under the General Laws.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 — Creation of an appointed treasurer-collector:

Berkley shall have an appointed treasurer-collector with all powers, duties, liabilities, and penalties applicable to treasurers and collectors under general law.
This provision supersedes applicable portions of Section 1B of Chapter 41 and other contrary laws, bylaws, or regulations.

Section 2 — Appointment, removal, and employment terms:

The treasurer-collector shall be appointed and may be removed, after a hearing, by the town’s board of selectmen.
The board may establish an employment contract for up to three years (subject to annual appropriations) covering salary, benefits, severance, expense reimbursement, liability insurance, discipline/termination, performance standards, leave, and related employment terms.

Section 3 — Abolition of elected offices; transition for incumbents:

The elected offices of treasurer and collector are abolished on the act’s effective date.
Incumbent elected officers may continue to serve until their term ends or until a new treasurer-collector is appointed, whichever occurs first.

Section 4 — Continuity of contracts, records, and assets:

Existing contracts or liabilities in force on the effective date are not affected by the abolition.
All records, property, and equipment of the former elected offices transfer to the appointed treasurer-collector.

Section 5 — Effective date:

The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Incumbent elected treasurer and elected collector in Berkley (the changes terminate those offices and their terms).

Berkley’s board of selectmen (as appointing authority for the new position and for contract terms).

Town administration (consolidation of financial functions and potential impact on staffing, budgeting, and workflow).

Procedural and timeline context

Introduced and referred to the Municipalities and Regional Government committee on February 27, 2025.

Local approval indicated; the bill carries status as a local-approval measure.

Legislative actions show passage through committee review, readings, and eventual enactment.

Signed by the Governor on October 17, 2025 as Chapter 44 of the Acts of 2025, with the act taking effect upon passage.

Impact and implications

Administrative efficiency: Consolidates financial functions into a single appointed official.

Local control: Berkley’s board of selectmen gains appointment authority and contract design power for up to three years.

Transition: Requires orderly transfer of records and assets from former elected offices to the new office; incumbents may complete their terms or step down upon appointment of the new treasurer-collector.

Financial governance: Aligns Berkley with a model used by other municipalities that employ an appointed treasurer-collector, subject to state general laws governing the office.